Cubicle curtain suspension apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for suspending cubicle curtains or the like, particularly those used in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. from a plurality of carriers mounted for sliding movement along an overhead track. A cord is suspended at its upper end from the carriers and connected at its lower end to the upper portion of the curtain. The cord comprises a plurality of strands directed diagonally to each other to form a sawtooth pattern which provides automatic self-alignment of the carriers. The cord is preferably formed of synthetic material which is capable of being cleaned.

waited tates Mazzarelie tent [ Feb. 1 1972 [54] CUBICLE CURTAIN SUSPENSIGN APRARATUS [72] Inventor: Victor A. Mazzarelle, West Covina, Calif.

[73] Assignee: Kassler Investment Corporation, Covina,

Calif.

[22] Filed: June 12, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 45,849

[52] US. Cl..... [51} Int. Cl. ..A47l1 1/00 [58] Field oiSearch ..160/330, 331,332, 333, 340-347,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,201,804 5/1940 Volland 160/346 2,280,697 4/1942 Gaines 160/ 389 Behney ..24/ l 23 W Kless ..l60/346 X Primary Examiner-David J Williamowsky Assistant Examiner-Philip C. Kantian Attorney-Robert C. Comstock [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus for suspending cubicle curtains or the like, particularly those used in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. from a plurality of carriers mounted for sliding movement along an overhead track. A cord is suspended at its upper end from the carriers and connected at its lower end to the upper portion of the curtain. The cord comprises a plurality of strands directed diagonally to each other to form a sawtooth pattern which provides automatic self-alignment of the carriers. The cord is preferably formed of synthetic material which is capable of being cleaned.

5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures CUBlCLE CURTAIN SUSPENSION APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to an apparatus for suspending cubicle curtains or other curtains, draperies or partitions.

2. Description of the Prior Art Cubicle curtains are now customarily suspended from an overhead track by means of a plurality of spaced vertically directed metal chains which are connected to carriers mounted for sliding movement along the track. These metal chains become rusted and corroded in a short time due to atmospheric conditions and/or chemicals present in a hospital environment.

The vertically directed chains are attached to each other at their upper ends by laterally directed keeper chains, the purpose of which is to limit the amount of possible separation of the vertical chains. In use, however, the vertical chains often bind or become stuck particularly when moving around corners.

Metal chains of the type now in use cannot be washed or cleaned and they are accordingly customarily left in their rusted condition. They are also relatively expensive to manufacture and install.

Chains of the type now in use are fairly heavy and are often noisy in operation, thus annoying all of the patients in the room whenever a cubicle curtain is moved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an apparatus for suspending cubicle curtains or other curtains, draperies or partitions, which apparatus is an improvement over chains and other similar devices of the type which are now in use.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type described which is (a) more economical to manufacture than present apparatus; (b) will not rust or deteriorate in use; (c) can be cleaned as often as desired, even with detergents and chemical cleaning compositions; (d) will not bind or hang up when moving around comers or curves; (e) is quieter in operation; (f) is lighter in weight; (g) is stronger and more durable.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the type described which is automatically selflaligning in use.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While 1 have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS eliminate the major portion of the cord.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises an elongated track 10, which has an inverted U-shaped cross section. The track may be any conventional type of drapery track. Mounted for rotatable longitudinal movement along the track are a plurality of carriers 11, each of which has a pair of outwardly directed axles on which are rotatably mounted a pair of wheels 12, which rotatably engage the insides of the bottom edge of the track 10. Each of the carriers 11 has a downwardly directed closed eye 13. The carriers 11 and wheels 12 may be formed of molded plastic and the eye 13 of metal, although other suitable materials may be used for these parts.

Secured to the eyes 13 are a plurality of spaced upper loops 15, which are preferably formed as integral parts of a continuous length of cord 16. The cord 16 is preferably formed of braised nylon or other suitable synthetic material. It is desirable that the material forming the cord be durable and washable and preferably resistance to soaps, detergents and other conventional cleaning materials.

Each of the upper loops 15 is preferably formed in a simple and expeditious manner by stapling two strands 17 and 18 of the cord 16 together by a pair of vertically spaced staples 19 through use of conventional stapler or stitcher.

The strands 17 and 18 extend diagonally downwardly and outwardly in opposite directions from the upper loops [5. The strands 17 and 18 join the adjacent strands 18 and 17 respectively at their lower ends to form a plurality of lower loops 20. The lower loops 20 are formed in the same manner as the upper loops 15 through the use of a pair of staples 21.

Secured to each of the lower loops 20 is a hook 22. The upper portion of the hook 22 comprises a closed eye 23 which engages the lower loop 20. The lower part of the hook 22 is bent back upon itself to form an open top hook portion 24 which is adapted to removably engage an eyelet opening 25, a series of which are spaced across the upper portion of a curtain or drape 26.

The apparatus accordingly includes a cord 16 having a plurality of upper loops 15 which are suspended from eyes l3 connected to carriers 11 which are mounted for sliding movement along the track 10. The cord 16 also has a plurality of lower loops 20 which are connected to hooks 22 which are in turn connected to spaced eyelet openings 25 in the upper portion of the curtain 26. Extending diagonally outwardly from each of the upper loops 15 and lower loops 20 are a plurality of strands l7 and 18, all of which preferably comprise integral portions of a single length of cord 16. The strands 17 and 18 extend diagonally from each of the loops in opposite directions from each other to form a sawtooth or series-of-Vs pattern.

The sawtooth pattern formed by the strands l7 and 18 acts to prevent the cord 16 and carriers 11 from hanging up or binding when moving around comers, since the weight of the curtain tends to distribute itself equally along the strands, thus separating the carriers accordingly.

If any pair of carriers should become separated too far, the lower loop 20 to which they are connected will be moved upwardly and will tend to carry a disproportionate portion of the weight of the curtain. This added weight will cause this particular lower loop 20 to move downwardly, thus moving the carriers 11 to which it is connected closer together. The apparatus is accordingly automatically self-aligning.

Because the cord 16, including all of the upper and lower loops and strands, is formed of nylon or similar synthetic plastic material, it is lighter in weight and more economical than the metal chains of the prior art. It can also be cleaned easily and quickly and as often as desired with water, soap, detergent or any cleaning composition except one which would dissolve plastic materials. It is completely resistant to deleterious atmospheric conditions.

The unusual and simplified assembly of the parts requires less parts and also less labor than conventional chain assemblies of the type now in use. It canaccordingly be installed at a lower cost and will last almost indefinitely without any deterioration and without requiring replacement.

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for suspending a cubicle curtain or the like from an overhead track, said apparatus including a plurality of carriers mounted for sliding movement along said track, a plurality of strands extending between said carriers and the upper edge of said curtain, each of said carriers having a pair of said strands extending diagonally downwardly and outwardly therefrom at substantially equal and oppositely diverging angles means connecting the lower ends of each pair of said strands to the upper edge of said curtain at a pair of connection points spaced substantially apart from each other along said curtain edge, each of said connection points being connected to a pair of said carriers by a pair of strands extending diagonally upwardly and outwardly at substantially equal and oppositely diverging angles from each of said connection points, all of said strands acting to support the weight of said curtain in suspension from said carriers, said curtain being movable along the direction of said track, said strmds being adapted upon movement of said curtain to move said carriers along said track, said strands acting in response to the weight of said curtain to space said carriers substantially equal distance apart from each other along said track and to space said connection points substantially equal distances apart from each other therebelow, each of said carriers being disposed substantially midway between a pair of said connection points, to provide automatic self-alignment of said carriers and evenly balanced suspension of said curtain.

2. The structure described in claim I, all of said strands comprising parts of a single cord, said cord having a plurality of upper loops connected to said carriers and a plurality of lower loops connected to said connection points.

3. The structure described in claim 2, each of said connection points comprising an eyelet opening in said curtain, hook means removably connecting said lower loops to said eyelet openings, and eye means unremovably connecting said upper loops to said carriers.

4. The structure described in claim 3, said cord being formed of synthetic plastic material capable of being cleaned with detergent or the like.

5. The structure described in claim 4, each of said loops being formed by stapling a pair of said strands together with a pair of vertically spaced staples.

* a d a 

1. An apparatus for suspending a cubicle curtain or the like from an overhead track, said apparatus including a plurality of carriers mounted for sliding movement along said track, a plurality of strands extending between said carriers and the upper edge of said curtain, each of said carriers having a pair of said strands extending diagonally downwardly and outwardly therefrom at substantially equal and oppositely diverging angles, means connecting the lower ends of each pair of said strands to the upper edge of said curtain at a pair of connection points spaced substantially apart from each other along said curtain edge, each of said connection points being connected to a pair of said carriers by a pair of strands extending diagonally upwardly and outwardly at substantially equal and oppositely diverging angles from each of said connection points, all of said strands acting to support the weight of said curtain in suspension from said carriers, said curtain being movable along the direction of said track, said strands being adapted upon movement of said curtain to move said carriers along said track, said strands acting in response to the weight of said curtain to space said carriers substantially equal distance apart from each other along said track and to space said connection points substantially equal distances apart from each other therebelow, each of said carriers being disposed substantially midway between a pair of said connection points, to provide automatic self-alignment of said carriers and evenly balanced suspension of said curtain.
 2. The structure described in claim 1, all of said strands comprising parts of a single cord, said cord having a plurality of upper loops connected to said carriers and a plurality of lower loops connected to said connection points.
 3. The structure described in claim 2, each of said connection points comprising an eyelet opening in said curtain, hook means removably connecting said lower loops to said eyelet openings, and eye means unremovably connecting said upper loops to said carriers.
 4. The structure described in claim 3, said cord being formed of synthetic plastic material capable of being cleaned with detergent or the like.
 5. The structure described in claim 4, each of said loops being formed by stapling a pair of said strands together with a pair of vertically spaced staples. 